by Rochelle Melander For more years than I can count, I’ve been marking pages of the books I read, copying out quotes in a journal, and reflecting on them. This has been quite a year, and I’ve depended on my books more than ever. Here are a few of my favorites from this year’s stack...Read More
by Rochelle Melander It’s getting to be the time of year when I want to sit on the sofa, sip tea, and read books. Who am I kidding. It’s ALWAYS that time of year for me! Only, I can’t—because writing, work and dogs. You get it. (The picture at left is how I tend to...Read More
December 13, 2022 Note From Rochelle Dear Writers, It’s time! I have some amazing offerings for you this coming year! My Writing Accountability Group is back. This is an amazing way to stay committed to your writing and learn more about you and your writing life and style. Check...Read More
November 30, 2021 Better Together: Books for Children I’m a book giver. When a baby is born, a child has a birthday, or a friend needs a pick-me-up, I head to the bookstore to choose some bookish love. Books bring laughter and joy, offer comfort and hope, share wisdom and inspiration. And...Read More
Recommended Reading I picked up A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic #1) by V.E. Schwab because I am a sucker for alternate versions of cities. Yes, Neverwhere is a favourite of mine and so when I saw this story had that vibe happening, I was in. Honestly, by partway through the first chapter I was...Read More
Writers Recommend I was lucky enough to read an early draft of Mia Sosa’s latest romantic comedy, The Worst Best Man. Since it’s release, I’ve read it twice more. It’s fun with well-developed characters you want to spend more time with. And at times it’s laugh-out-loud funny. It is the perfect escape from the...Read More
Writing has been truly difficult for me during this pandemic. I find it hard to concentrate for more than short bursts at a time, and so my writing has only been coming in short bursts too. Even my discipline from all those years in the Air Force haven’t helped me there, but I also know...Read More
Recommended reading One of my favorite re-reads is GILEAD by Marilynne Robinson. It is the fictional memoir of Reverend John Ames, written as a letter to his young son. Ames is at the end of his life, savoring his remaining time. In spite of the losses and the long, lonely days that comprised most...Read More
Recommended Reading Elizabeth Little’s Pretty as a Picture, which I just finished and made me laugh out loud. Yep, a mystery that made me LOL under lockdown. The second is Jennifer Hillier’s Little Secrets. This one is dark and entrancing. I am so grateful to both authors for creating books so strong that they took me...Read More
Recommended Reading During the pandemic, I’m re-reading the mystery novels of Colin Dexter (paperbacks available at bookshop.org). The series is like a visit from an old friend. A gruff, opinionated, often irascible but always interesting friend—a.k.a. Inspector Morse. Yes, he drinks too much and his manners need polish (would it kill him to say...Read More
